Development and validation of a new screening tool for hypoactive sexual desire disorder: The Brief Profile of Female Sexual Function (B-PFSF).

AIM: To develop a screening tool to allow a postmenopausal woman to determine whether to seek evaluation for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).
METHODS: The Brief Profile of Female Sexual Function (B-PFSF) was developed using items from the Profile of Female Sexual Function (PFSF) and the Personal Distress Scale (PDS). Logistic regression analysis was used to select items best able to discriminate between women with HSDD (n = 743) and controls (n = 226) and a screening cut-off score was identified. Cross-validation analyses were conducted using PFSF and PDS responses from an independent group of 147 HSDD women and 104 controls. Forty cognitive interviews were additionally conducted to assess validity of the final tool.
RESULTS: A seven-item instrument was found to provide good discrimination between postmenopausal women with HSDD and controls and to be a reliable and valid tool. Ninety-six percent of women with HSDD and 97% of control women in the independent validation were classified correctly using the identified cut-off score. In the cognitive interviews, all women stated that the questionnaire was easy to complete and covered relevant aspects of sexual function.
CONCLUSION: The Brief Profile of Female Sexual Function (B-PFSF) is psychometrically valid and appropriate for use as a self-administered screening tool.